Clothing buckle



March 29, 1932. w RUTHERFORD 1,851,730

CLOTHING BUCKLE Filed July 1.7,v 1929 [N VENTO R Eugene 14/. fiwlzerford ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 29, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE I EUGENE W. RUTHERFORD, OF NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO THE SHOE HARDWARE COMPANY, OF WATERBURY, CONNECTICUT, A CORPORATION OF CONNECTICUT CLOTHING BUCKLE Application filed July 17,

This invention relates to clothing buckles of the type suitable for raincoats or other articles in which two edges or ends are to be detachably connected together.

The appearance of the ordinary type of buckle heretofore used on raincoats and similar apparel has not been entirely satisfactory, and, in an attempt to overcome the objection, some manufacturers have substituted snap fasteners for the buckles. But even though the appearance may be somewhat improved by snap fasteners, they have been for various reasons found unsuitable. It is therefore one object of this invention to pro-. vide a clothing buckle of improved appearance and possessing at least the advantages of the ordinary buckle and snap fastener while doing away with'the objections to both.

Another object is to provide a buckle of substantially flat construction, thereby enhancing its appearance, and incorporating simplicity and low cost of manufacture.

Other objects and advantages will appear as the description proceeds.

Reference is to be had to the following specification and the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan View of a buckle embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1 in the operation of connecting the buckle members together; and

Fig. 3 illustrates the two members coupled. V

In the drawings numeral 1 indicates a substantially flat buckle member or plate preferably composed of sheet metal stamped to shape and including a cutout in the form of an elongated opening comprising a buttonhole 2, the member also being provided with perforations 3 for attaching it to the edge of a garment or other article, as by riveting. The member 1 preferably has a reinforcing bead 4 around the T-shaped buttonhole 2. The other member or plate of the buckle. designated 5 has perforations 6 and also a button 7 which is connected rigidly to the body of the member 5by a shank 8, preferably as indicated in Fig. 2. In the operation of coupling or uncoupling the buckle, the

1929. Serial N0. 378,829.

member 5 is placed at an angle to member 1, for edgewise passage through the buttonhole, as indicated in Fig. 2. The button 7 is inserted through the buttonhole 2 which has in its outer edge a notch .9 providing clearance for the shank S'of the button during its angular insertion through the buttonhole. After the button 7 has been fully inserted through the buttonhole 2, it may then assume a position concentric with the bead 4, as in Fig. 3, and cannot be removed from the buttonhole except by a reversal of the operation, since the button is of a width greater than that ofthe head of the T. It will be noted that the plate 5 has a straight edge adjacent the button 7. In the event of any angularity ofthe coupled'plates around the axis of the shank 8, the above named edge or one of the corners engages the back of the plate 1 and prevents the button from passing through the opening, thus precluding accidental uncoupling. This is evidentfroman inspection of Fig. 1 wherein it will be observed that the radius from the shank 8 to the nearest edge is less than to the corners of the plate or to any intermediate point along the edge. Accordingly, in coupling and uncoupling the two plates the transverse edge adjacent the shank 8 is disposed lengthwise of the head of the T-shaped buttonhole. There is thus provided a secure connection between the two members, and they may be quickly coupled and uncoupled.

It will be observed that the buckle is of fiat construction, which contributes to neatness, and that the members are inexpensive to manufacture, since they may be stamped from sheet metal and formed to shape by a die stamping operation.

While the foregoing example embodies one practical form of the invention, it is not intended as a limitation, since it is obviousthat various modifications and alterations may suggest themselves to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to protect by Letters Patcut is:

1. A clothing buckle comprising two flat 'platesof rigid construction, one of which carries a buttonand a shank'rigidly connect- ,7 ing the button to the plate, the other plate having a substantially T-shaped buttonhole, the leg of the T providing clearance for the shank, and the head of the T permitting only edgewise passage of the button therethrough,

said button being of a width greater than that of the head of said T-shaped buttonhole.

2. A clothing buckle comprising two flat platesof rigid construction, one of which carries a button and a shank rigidly connecting the button to the plate, the other plate having a substantially T-shaped buttonhole,,

the leg of the T providing clearance for the shank, the head of the T permitting only ed'gewise passage of the button therethrough, said button being of a width greater than that of the head of said T-shaped buttonhole,

and; a reinforcing beadaround said buttonhole.

3. A clothing buckle comprising two flat rigid plates, one of which is provided with a button and a shank rigidly connecting the button to the plate, the other plate having an of said apertured plate to prevent uncoupling of the two plates except when said transverse edge is disposed in a predetermined position with respect to said aperture.

Signed at lVaterbury, county of New Haven, and State of Connecticut, this 12th day of July, 1929. I

EUGENE W. RUTHERFORD. 

